Cervejaria Trindade

Cervejaria Trindade occupies part of what was once the Convento da Santíssima Trindade, a convent founded in 1294 between the Chiado and Bairro Alto. The convent suffered a fire in 1704, the earthquake of 1755 and another fire the following year, and it was closed after the religious orders were abolished in Portugal in 1834. In 1835 Manuel Moreira Garcia bought the building and set up the Trindade beer factory, and the beer hall opened in 1836, making it one of the oldest in the country.

The rooms are the main reason to come. Moreira Garcia kept the convent's tile cladding, and in 1863 he commissioned new panels from Luís Ferreira, artistic director of the Viúva Lamego ceramic factory. These show the four seasons and the four elements, air, fire, water and earth, in vivid colour, and they cover the walls of the main hall. The vaulted spaces, long tables and bustle of waiters give it the feel of a traditional beer hall rather than a quiet restaurant.

The kitchen focuses on what the house describes as the steak, the seafood and the petisco. A steak in the Portuguese style, with a rich sauce and fried potatoes, is the classic order, along with prawns, clams and other seafood, codfish dishes and small plates to share. It is a good choice for a straightforward Portuguese meal in a historic setting, and the menu is broad enough for groups with different tastes. Beer is the natural drink, though there is also a wine list.

The restaurant opens every day from 12:00 to 00:00, staying open until 01:00 on Fridays, Saturdays and the eves of public holidays, which makes it useful for a late dinner after a show or a walk around Bairro Alto. It can be busy at peak times, especially with groups, so book ahead for dinner at weekends. Guided visits of the historic spaces run on some days in the morning and afternoon, so ask if you are interested in the building's history.

The beer hall is on Rua Nova da Trindade, a short climb from the Baixa-Chiado metro station. The São Roque church, the Carmo convent ruins and the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint are all within walking distance, and Bairro do Avillez is next door.